updated 11:02 am EDT, Tue July 31, 2012

Adds major service to Apple set-top

The Apple TV has been updated in the US with access to Hulu Plus, users note. Despite popping up a new icon on the set-top's homescreen, the change doesn't require a new firmware download. Access to Hulu Plus does, however, cost $10 a month after a free week-long trial expires.

Hulu may be an important addition for Apple, since it introduces content from major American TV networks that isn't necessarily on Netflix. That should allow more people to treat the Apple TV as a primary source of entertainment, possibly even an excuse to cut off cable or satellite subscriptions.

Apple may be laying the groundwork for its anticipated TV set, which could be announced as soon as this fall, though talk of the hardware has died down in recent weeks -- which could make a 2013 date more likely than a debut in time for this year's holiday season.

While this addition is definitely a plus for AppleTV, I remain frustrated by content providers' insistence on making certain shows "web only".

The work-around for this silly restriction is simple; fire up the show on a macbook and invoke Airplay. Now I'm watching the "web only"
show on my Apple TV anyway. What purpose are they serving by making it harder for me to access content I've paid for?

hacking to implement your own features seems to be the norm with apple. Imagine in the future when Apple implements stronger security measures, a black box, just like the one the government forces into photoshop... yet this one will be to prevent users from enjoying their mac the way THEY want. The added processing power is coming, and expect it to be used against u before it is used how you wish.